Supreme Court Stays Warrants in Defamation Case Against Union Minister Chauhan

The Supreme Court issued a notice regarding Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan's plea challenging the Madhya Pradesh High Court's decision in a defamation case. The court granted interim relief, staying bailable warrants against Chauhan, conditional on his effective participation in the trial. Chauhan disputes the high court's decision.

The Supreme Court has intervened in a defamation case involving Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, issuing a notice to respondents concerning Chauhan's challenge to a Madhya Pradesh High Court order. The defamation complaint was filed by Senior Advocate Vivek Tankha, accusing Chauhan of making defamatory statements.

A bench of justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti granted interim relief to Chauhan, staying the execution of bailable warrants on the condition that he participates effectively in the trial alongside his legal counsel. The top court emphasized the need for his active involvement without being subjected to the warrants.

Chauhan has contested the High Court's October 2024 decision, which dismissed his attempt to quash a magisterial court's cognizance of Tankha's defamation complaint. Tankha's allegations stem from statements linked to the Madhya Pradesh local body elections in December 2021. Chauhan argues that the proceedings violate Article 194(2) of the Constitution and that political statements shouldn't be weaponized for personal legal battles.

(With inputs from agencies.)